Honolulu

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Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America

Founded: In 1850, Kamehameha III proclaimed Honolulu the capital city of the independent Kingdom of Hawaii. Under US control, the county of Oahu was established on July 1, 1905. Two years later, it was renamed the city and county of Honolulu. A city charter was adopted when Hawaii became a state in 1959.Location: Southern shore of Oahu, one of eight major islands in the state of Hawaii, in the northern Pacific Ocean, 2,390 miles from California, and 3,850 miles from JapanFlag: Honolulu does not fly a city flag.Motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono (state motto, attributed to King Kamehameha III, meaning "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.")Island Flower: IlimaTime Zone: Hawaii is located in its own time zone, called Hawaiian Standard Time. The state does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Noon in Hawaii = 2 pm on the US West Coast/5 pm on the US East Coast (Standard Time, November through August). During mainland Daylight Savings (April–October), there is a three hour difference with the West Coast and a six hour difference with the East Coast.Ethnic Composition: 24% Caucasian; 21% Japanese; 17% mixed ancestry, other than part-Hawaiian; 16% part-Hawaiian; 7% Filipino; 6% Chinese, 1% pure HawaiianLatitude and Longitude: 21°18′25 N, 157°51′30 WCoastline: Southern shore of the island of OahuClimate: Typically warm and sunny throughout the year, with slight temperature variations; nearly constant trade winds moderate heat and humidity. Kona weather, with warmer winds from the south, brings higher temperatures and humidity. Winter months are wetter, and sometimes stormier, but rainbows quickly follow the rains.Annual Mean Temperature: Summer highs range from 85 to 87°F (29.4–30.6°C); night lows average 70 to 74°F (21.1–23.3°C). In the winter, daytime highs range from 70 to 74°F (21.1–23.3°C); night lows average 65 to 69°F (C18.3–20.6°C).Average Annual Precipitation: Varies dramatically in different parts of the city. The waterfront district of Waikiki only averages about 25 inches of rain, but the Lyon Arboretum in the upper Manoa Valley, about 5 miles to the north, averages 158 inches.Government: Mayor and nine-member city council.Weights and Measures: Standard USTelephone Area Code: 808 in the city and county of Honolulu

1. Introduction

Aptly named "The Gathering Place," Oahu is the hub of the Hawaiian Islands, and Honolulu is the heartbeat of Oahu. Most of Honolulu is settled in a narrow shoulder on the south shore of Oahu, nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and surrounded by fields of sugarcane and pineapple, ranch lands, and farms. One of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, more than 75 percent of the state's multicultural population reside there. The economic and entertainment capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is a sophisticated metropolis with a plethora of activities, attractions, and events; however, the city also enjoys a tropical atmosphere and magnificent natural beauty. Much of Hawaii's culture is preserved in Honolulu, in its many museums, churches, national memorials and monuments, and the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States. Perhaps all of these are reasons why 70,000 travelers from around the world visit the island each day.

2. Getting There

Highways

The island of Oahu has two major freeways that are part of the national highway system: H-1 and H-2. While the city is compact and easy to navigate, the private automobile remains a predominant mode of transport, often clogging the freeways during rush hour. The city has experimented with water transport with little success. Mayor Jeremy Harris' proposed light-rail system has not been well received.

Airports

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu did not become a popular tourist destination until the airplane age. Today, most people who come to Oahu arrive at the Honolulu International Airport. Before 1932, the airport was named after Commander John Rodgers. He made the first flight from the mainland United States to Hawaii in 1925. It is possible to get to Hawaii by cruise ship and travel to the other islands by cruise ship, but the bulk of inter-island travel is serviced by airlines. Hawaiian Airlines has daily flights to Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The smaller Aloha Airlines also serves the West Coast. All major U.S. airlines fly to the islands. Japanese airlines have daily service to Honolulu and neighboring islands. Honolulu is a hub for many Pacific Islands.

Honolulu Population Profile

Population: 377,050Area: 1,540 sq km (594 sq mi–Oahu)Ethnic composition: 24% Caucasian; 21% Japanese; 17% mixed ancestry, other than part-Hawaiian; 16% part-Hawaiian; 7% Filipino; 6% Chinese, 1% pure HawaiianWorld population rank 1: unrankedPercentage of national population 2: <1%Nickname: The Gathering Place

1. The Honolulu metropolitan area's rank among the world's urban areas.
2. The percent of the total US population living in the Honolulu metropolitan area.

Shipping

Honolulu is located at the crossroads of transpacific cargo carriers, and its port has extensive shipping facilities. The port also serves local industries, including pineapple canneries, sugar refineries, and clothing factories.

3. Getting Around

Bus and Commuter Rail Service

Oahu Transit Services operates a successful public bus service. The American Public Transit Association named "The Bus" America's Best Transit System in 1994–1995. "The Bus" transports 260,000 people over 60,000 miles each day. Buses, many of them equipped with bicycle racks, travel throughout the island. With 1,350 employees, "The Bus" is one of Oahu's largest employers.

Sightseeing

Honolulu ranks first in tourist arrivals, and some of the state's most visited attractions are within its boundaries. In Oahu, most visitors head for the Waikiki district of Honolulu. Other popular spots in and around the city include the USS Arizona Memorial and Visitors Center in Pearl Harbor; Punchbowl Crater, home of the National Memorial Cemetery; the retired battleship USS Missouri ; the Queen Emma Summer Palace; and Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States.

4. People

Honolulu is one of the most diversified cities in America. About 24 percent of residents are Caucasian; 21 percent are Japanese; 17 percent are mixed ancestry, other than part-Hawaiian; 16 percent are part-Hawaiian; seven percent are Filipino, six percent are Chinese; and about one percent are pure Hawaiian. There are many small Pacific and Asian minorities. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, in the city and county of Honolulu, 264,372 people were white; 195,149 were of Japanese ancestry; 120,029 were Filipino; 63,265 were Chinese; 91,967 were Hawaiian; 25,875 were black; 3,532 were Native American; and 72,042 were of other heritage.

Early Hawaiians worshipped many ancestral gods and spirits. They made daily offerings to Pele, goddess of the volcano. They also made offerings to Ku, the god of war, and Lono, the god of fertility. Today, many Hawaiians hold on to their beliefs. Others have accepted Christianity or other religions. The remains of heiau, places of worship for early Hawaiians, are found throughout Oahu. The Catholic Church, with some 200,000 members, is the largest congregation in the state. Buddhists are second, with more than 85,000 members. There are Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim houses of worship as well.

English and Hawaiian are the official languages. Hawaiian, a melodious language, is a Polynesian dialect. It has only 12 letters: the vowels a, e, i, o, u, and the consonants h, k, l, m, n, p and w. In order to clarify pronunciation, a glottal stop (') or 'okina—similar to the sound between the oh's in the English oh-oh—is used in the Hawaiian language. The state's name often is spelled Hawai'i. About 85 percent of all place names in Hawaii are in Hawaiian. Many Hawaiian phrases and words, as well as words from immigrant groups, have been incorporated into everyday usage. Some common Hawaiian words include aloha (a word of many meanings that expresses love, affection, compassion, grace and charity. It is often used as a greeting), and mahalo (thanks).

Pidgin, a simplified form of English, is still used in the islands. It was developed by Hawaii's many immigrant groups to communicate with one another. Modern pidgin has been defined as local slang and has come under attack by some educators who believe it is keeping children from speaking proper English. Others defend pidgin as a cultural treasure unique to Hawaii. Pidgin is not easy to pick up. It has a cadence of its own, double meanings, and borrowed words from many languages. Some examples include talk story : to have a conversation, to gossip; ono grinds : good food (or broke da mouth, for delicious); brah : brother or friend; I am pau : I am done, finished; and Pau Hana: quitting time. Japanese and other Asian languages also are widely spoken.

5. Neighborhoods

One of the world's most famous neighborhoods is Waikiki, on the southern shores of the island of Oahu. Separated from the rest of Honolulu by the Ala Wai Canal, Waikiki truly seems to be a city of its own. With about 25,000 residents and thousands of daily visitors, Waikiki never seems to sleep. It has more than 400 restaurants and well over 300 bars and clubs. Yet, remarkably, Waikiki architecture, except for a few buildings, is quite unremarkable. Most are large concrete monoliths with little visual interest. North of the city is the neighborhood of Makiki, one of the most densely populated areas in the city. Makiki Heights, which as the name implies, climbs up the hills that buttress the northern end of the city, is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Honolulu. Just to the east is Manoa Valley, where beautiful residential homes are surrounded by lush green hills on three sides. It is also one of the rainiest areas in the city. One of the most typical buildings in the city is the "walk up," a two, three, or four-story building without elevators. Because of its benign weather, more than 80 percent of households do not use heating or air conditioners.

6. History

Archaeological evidence suggests that the first settlers to the Hawaiian Islands arrived from the Marquesas sometime between 500 and 750. Settlers from Tahiti arrived sometime in 1000 and may have enslaved the Marquesans, forcing them to build temples and work in the fields.

The British explorer Captain James Cook (1728–79) was the first known Westerner to sight the island of Oahu, on January 18, 1778. He was killed in a fight with Hawaiians when he returned to the islands a year later. Many Westerners would soon come to the islands, some with the idea of conquest in mind. By the late eighteenth century, powerful Hawaiian rulers battled for control of the archipelago. In 1795, King Kamehameha the Great (c. 1758–1819; r. 1792–1819), who controlled the Big Island of Hawaii, captured Maui and Molokai and set his eyes on Oahu. Kamehameha's large fleet of battle canoes landed in present-day Waikiki. His soldiers moved across the valley and into the mountains pursuing Kalanikupule, the king of Oahu.

Kamehameha had quite an advantage. Among his troops were several Western sharpshooters with firearms. With superior firepower, they forced Kalanikupule's troops high into the valley. In the final battle, hundreds of Oahuans were forced to jump to their deaths from the Nuuanu Pali (cliffs). After his victory, Kamehameha united the islands under one kingdom.

During the time of the Kamehameha's invasion, Honolulu was little more than a village of small huts near the water. In 1793, Captain William Brown directed his English frigate Butterworth into what is now known as Honolulu Harbor. He named it Fair Heaven, but it came to be known as Brown's Harbor. It is not clear how the harbor came to be known as Honolulu, which means protected bay. But it was clear to sailors that the bay offered a perfect place to set anchor. As more ships came, Honolulu began to grow. By 1809, King Kamehameha moved his residence from Waikiki to Honolulu to tighten his control on the valuable sandalwood trade. By the 1820s, whaling ships began to stop in Honolulu. Their crews were a rough crowd. Taverns and brothels soon followed to serve their needs. Not far behind were Christian missionaries who traveled to the islands to convert the Hawaiians.

The missionaries exerted enormous influence. By the mid-1800s, they managed to convince the Hawaiian royalty to prosecute drunken sailors and curb the growing prostitution trade. Most whaling boats abandoned Honolulu for the safer confines of Lahaina on Maui. The sons of these original missionaries would in time become businessmen who wielded enormous power in the islands. They came to control most of the land, and operated large and profitable sugar plantations. Westerners also brought many diseases that decimated the native Hawaiian population. Faced with a worker shortage, the plantation owners brought thousands of Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Filipinos, and Koreans to work the land.

Hawaii had become a desirable place to outsiders. In 1843, the British held the island for five months before leaving. The French followed in 1849. The Hawaiians got their kingdom back but could not stop the steady flow of foreigners coming to the islands. By 1893, the Hawaiian kingdom was once again under siege by outsiders. White planters and businessmen plotted with the United States Minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens, to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. Queen Lili'uokalani (1838–1917; r. 1891–1894), who had recently succeeded her brother, Kalakaua, was pushing for democratic reforms when she was forced to relinquish her authority. But the queen did not cede her powers to the provisional government that had just overthrown her. She ceded it to the United States with the hope that it would "undo the action of its representatives and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands." U.S. President Grover Cleveland (1837–1908; president 1885–89; 1893–97) agreed the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani had been illegal. "By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States," Cleveland wrote, "and without authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown. A substantial wrong has thus been done which a due regard for our national character as well as the rights of the injured people requires we should endeavor to repair."

Cleveland ordered the lowering of the U.S. flag, but the provisional government refused. Hawaiians, greatly outnumbered and without weapons to defend themselves, were no longer in control of their own destiny. The provisional government in Honolulu systematically tightened its control of the islands, even imprisoning Queen Lili'uokalani for several months. By 1898, Hawaiians could only watch as the United States finally annexed the islands.

"Because of the overthrow and annexation, Hawaiian control and Hawaiian citizenship were replaced with American control and American citizenship. We suffered a unilateral redefinition of our homeland and our people, a displacement and a dispossession in our own country," wrote Haunani-Kay Trask, professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii. Today, many of the remaining Hawaiians are among the poorest residents on the islands.

For the United States, the Territory of Hawaii—especially Honolulu—became a key military post. Large installations were built, including bases inside Diamond Head, an extinct volcano and important Honolulu landmark. Massive guns pointed out to sea. Through the early 1900s, the military presence grew steadily.

"A day that will live in infamy," President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945; president 1933–45) told Americans on December 7, 1941, after 360 Japanese aircraft dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor, just west of Honolulu, and other military bases throughout the island of Oahu. A 798-kilogram (1,760-pound) armor-piercing bomb slammed through the deck of the USS Arizona and ignited its forward ammunition magazine. The massive explosion at about 8:10 am was heard in Honolulu. In less than nine minutes, the ship sank with its crew. The loss of the Arizona symbolized the beginning of World War II (1939–45) for Americans; the explo sion that instantly galvanized public opinion in favor of the war effort. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor even though he opposed going to war against the United States, said he feared that Japan "had awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve."

In all, 2,341 military personnel and 54 civilians were killed. More than 50 of the bombs that fell on Honolulu were American Navy anti-aircraft shells that missed their targets. The Japanese destroyed eight battleships, three destroyers, and 188 planes, bombing several military targets throughout the island. The Japanese lost 64 men, 29 aircraft, and five midget submarines.

In the middle of the Pacific, Honolulu played a crucial role in the war against Japan. More than one million soldiers passed through the city on their way to battles in the Pacific. Thousands who died in the war were buried in a cemetery in Honolulu. Its residents lived under martial law for more than three years, the only place in the United States subjected to such measures.

In many ways, the World War II effort demanded more from civilians living in the territory of Hawaii than anywhere else in the United States. In Honolulu, military authorities declared martial law and suspended civil liberties the day of the attack. Civilian authorities expected martial law to last only a few months, but for the next three years, Honolulu and the islands became virtual armed military camps. During the war, as much as one-third of the island of Oahu was occupied by military forces.

The lives of regular citizens were drastically altered by the war. Japanese immigrants and their American-born second generation in Hawaii immediately came under suspicion, and their loyalties were questioned. They exceeded 40 percent of the population, with 124,000 American citizens and 45,000 immigrants. The military forced Americans of Japanese ancestry who worked at military bases to wear a black-bordered badge to indicate their ethic origin. Their banks, Shinto shrines, department stores, and language schools were confiscated and 1,875 Japanese Americans were arrested and sent to relocation or internment camps on the mainland.

"Speak American" posters could be seen throughout Honolulu, one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the United States. While Japanese Americans were singled out, the war and martial law affected the entire population. Everyone was required to carry a gas mask at all times. The beautiful beaches of Waikiki were covered with barbed wire. Curfews and blackouts forced everyone indoors by 6:00 pm. Every citizen in the islands was fingerprinted, the first mass fingerprinting of civilians in U.S. history. Phone calls and mail were censored, and the military issued dollar bills—with a Hawaii imprint—that could only be used on the islands. Hawaii residents didn't complain much about their plight and were often eager to prove their loyalty.

More than 40,000 volunteered to serve in the armed forces. Among them were Americans of Japanese Ancestry (AJA) who joined the all-AJA 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of the most highly decorated units in the war. The years 1941 through 1945 would forever alter the character of Honolulu and the Hawaiian Islands.

On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the fiftieth state of the United States. Most people celebrated, but for many native Hawaiians, becoming a state was just another blow against dreams of sovereignty. In 1993, in a joint resolution, Congress formally apologized to the Hawaiian people for the illegal overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani. Many native Hawaiians continue to press for some type of sovereignty.

Status as a new state, the tourism hype, romantic and often inaccurate Hollywood movies about Hawaii, and the selling of the Hawaiian culture soon turned the islands into a major travel destination for Americans. Honolulu's Waikiki District, which in the early twentieth century was mostly wetlands and fertile agricultural land, came to host more than 30,000 hotel rooms by the 1990s. On a typical day, Waikiki, which has a population of about 25,000 people, hosts thousands of visitors. Honolulu felt the growing pressures. Uncontrolled growth littered the city with ugly buildings. Rents went up, and many Honolulu residents soon were unable to afford to buy their own homes. Tourism brought jobs, but mostly low-paying jobs. By the 1990s, Hawaii, and Honolulu became heavily dependent on tourism, especially Japanese tourism. By 1999, the Asian economic downturn affected Honolulu, due to the steady erosion of Asian visitors in the previous two years.

7. Government

Oahu is incorporated as the city and county of Honolulu. The mayor is elected to a four-year term, but cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms. The mayor appoints a managing director to run several city departments. The Council has nine members, each elected to a four-year term. Like the mayor, council members cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.

8. Public Safety

Honolulu ranks as one of the safest cities in America, with low crime rates. The Police Department reported an 11 percent drop in overall crime in 1998, the lowest in ten years. Police officials believe greater efforts at community policing have decreased overall crime.

During 1998, 47,453 crimes were reported in Honolulu, a decrease of 11 percent from 1997. In 1995, 67,000 crimes were reported. Violent crime was down by 11 percent in 1998, and property crime had a similar drop. The largest decrease came in larceny-theft. Tourists are often targeted by petty larceny. Rental cars are particularly vulnerable.

9. Economy

Tourism is the most important industry in Hawaii, especially in Honolulu, which is the leading economic center of the state. Tourism brings between $8 billion and $9 billion to the state each year, or about 55 percent of all income. The military contributes about 19 percent while services and merchandise contribute about 26 percent. During 1998–99, while the mainland United States was thriving economically, Honolulu and the rest of Hawaii were in an economic downturn. Hawaii is highly dependent on Japanese tourism, but the Asian economic crisis cut into the number of visitors.

Honolulu is located at the crossroads of transpacific cargo carriers, and its port has extensive shipping facilities. The port also serves local industries, including pineapple canneries, sugar refineries, and clothing factories.

10. Environment

With close to 900,000 residents in less than 1,554 square kilometers (600 square miles), Oahu, once a pristine island, has suffered much environmental degradation. Sugar plantations and other agricultural activities have added to pollution problems. There is little air pollution, but the island remains sensitive to water pollution. Some of its beaches are in danger of erosion. However, the endangered green turtle has shown signs of recovery in Hawaii.

11. Shopping

Because it is highly dependent on tourism, Oahu offers a great deal of shopping, from giant malls to small kitsch souvenir shops. Many tourists take home Hawaiian shirts, even surf-boards made locally. Flower leis are also very popular.

12. Education

There are four major colleges in Oahu. The University of Hawaii has its main campus in the Manoa Valley in Honolulu. A branch of UH, as it is known locally, is located in West Oahu. The East-West Center, established in 1960 to promote technical and cultural exchange between the United States and Asian countries, is located at the UH Manoa Campus. Chaminade University was established in 1950, and Hawaii Pacific University, which attracts students from throughout the world, was established in 1953. UH's three campuses and seven community colleges have a total enrollment of about 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students. UH offers degrees in more than 80 programs, including oceanography, tropical agriculture, and Hawaiian studies. Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu is renowned for its culinary school. Also in Oahu is the Hawaii Campus of Brigham Young University.

13. Health Care

Hawaii ranks first in the United States in life expectancy, with about 76 years for men and 81 years for women. They are considered among the healthiest in the world. The state has 240 doctors and 82 dentists for every 100,000 people. In Oahu, there are 11 major hospitals. While heart disease and cancer are leading causes of death in Hawaii, sunburn is one of the most common ailments.

14. Media

Two daily newspapers, The Honolulu Advertiser, and The Star-Bulletin, serve Honolulu. There are several weeklies, including some that cater to immigrant communities. The major networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, have local affiliates. Oceanic Cable offers dozens of channels to subscribers. Major West Coast newspapers often reach Honolulu readers on the day of publication, and The New York Times offers home delivery.

15. Sports

There are no professional sports teams in Hawaii, but in Honolulu, the University of Hawaii provides plenty of action. Women's and men's NCAA volleyball is quite popular, with some of the more competitive matches played in front of sell-out crowds. The Wahine (women) have won several national titles. The university football team had a rough decade in the 1990s but finished the 1999 season with a winning record.

Water sports rule in Hawaii, especially in Oahu, which has nearly 600 surfing sites, including the famous Banzai Pipeline. North Shore, about a half-hour's drive north of Honolulu, is host to some of the most important surfing and body board events in the world. During the winter, waves reach six to nine meters (20 to 30 feet) in height, with some breaks as high as 12 meters (40 feet). Summer is the best time to surf on the south shore. Outrigger canoe racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the islands. In January 2000, public school authorities were considering making it an official sport.

16. Parks and Recreation

Oahu has more than 60 beach parks, including the large Ala Moana, just west of Waikiki. Beach parks are popular with Oahu families. During weekends at Ala Moana, many people arrive at the break of dawn to reserve some of the more popular spots. Large extended families spend the entire day at the park, cooking, and playing games. Kapiolani Park, home to the city's zoo, also is a popular park. A large section is dedicated to sports fields, including soccer, rugby and softball. There is plenty of hiking in the nearby mountains, with trails that lead to waterfalls and gorgeous views of Honolulu. Diamond Head, an extinct volcano, offers one of the most popular walks in the city.

17. Performing Arts

Honolulu has a lively, albeit modest, performing arts scene. Diamond Head Theater has been staging Broadway shows, revivals, and musicals for 84 years. Kumu Kahua Theater promotes Hawaii's cultural heritage. The Hawaii Theater, with seating for 1,400 people, hosts many community gatherings and performances. The John F. Kennedy Theater at the University of Hawaii is home to the department of theater and art. The Neal S. Blaisdell Center is home to the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. The Royal Hawaiian Band, founded in 1836 by order of King Kamehameha III, is the only full-time municipal band in the United States.

18. Libraries and Museums

The Bishop Museum and Planetarium holds more than 20 million artifacts from Hawaiian and Polynesian history, the world's largest collection. The Honolulu Academy of Arts has exhibits on Western and Asian art. It is home to the Kress Collection of Italian Renaissance paintings. The Contemporary Museum has many important art pieces. The Hawaii Maritime Center features Pacific maritime history. The Mission Houses Museum displays the history of early missionary settlements in Hawaii. The Judiciary History Center, located in the historic Ali'iolani Hale, has exhibits on nineteenth-century legal and judicial processes that shaped the Kingdom of Hawaii and the islands' territorial years. The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii, located at Fort DeRussy on the western end of Waikiki, focuses on the history of the army in Hawaii. The Honolulu Library is located downtown and has several branches throughout Oahu.

19. Tourism

Tourism is the most important source of income in Hawaii. Honolulu and other communities have developed a sophisticated travel industry to care for visitors. Honolulu ranks first in tourist arrivals. Some of the state's most visited attractions are within its boundaries. In Oahu, most of the tourism activity is centered in the Waikiki district of Honolulu. With more than 30,000 hotel rooms, luxury resorts, expensive international restaurants and shops, and beautiful beaches, Waikiki attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

In Honolulu, and nearby, the most visited sites have military connections. The USS Arizona Memorial and Visitors Center in Pearl Harbor ranks first among visitors, while Punchbowl Crater, home of the National Memorial Cemetery and final resting place for 34,000 veterans of World War II and the Korean (1950–53) and Vietnam (1945–1973) wars, is a close second. The retired battleship USS Missouri was brought to Pearl Harbor in 1998 and has become a major visitor attraction. The Queen Emma Summer Palace also is a favorite destination. Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States, was built in 1882. It is located in downtown Honolulu.

20. Holidays and Festivals

January New Year's DayMartin Luther King's DayChinese New Year (January or March)

February Presidents Day

February-March Cherry Blossom Festival

March Japanese Girl's Day (March 3)Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day (March 26)

March-April Good Friday (the Friday before Easter)

April Buddha's Birthday (April 8)Father Damien Day (April 15)

May Lei Day (May 1)Japanese Boy's Day (May 5)Memorial Day

June King Kamehameha Day (June 11)

July Independence Day (July 4)

August Admission Day (anniversary of Hawaiian state-hood)Samoan Flag DayObon (Japanese festival that honors deceased ancestors)

September Labor Day

September-October Aloha Week

October Columbus Day

November General Election DayVeterans Day (November 11)

December Pearl Harbor Day (December 7)

21. Famous Citizens

Princess Ka'iulani (1875–99), next in line to be queen until the overthrow ended her dreams, the Princess traveled to Washington D.C. to convince U.S. officials to restore sovereignty to Hawaii.

Queen Emma (1836–85), known for her charitable causes, one of Hawaii's most remarkable queens, founded hospitals and schools.

Queen Lili'uokalani (1838–1917), last Hawaiian monarch, overthrown in 1893.

22. For Further Study

Websites

Arizona Memorial Museum Association. [Online] Available http://members.aol.com/azmemph/index.htm (accessed January 25, 2000).

Contemporary Museum of Art. [Online] Available http://www.tcmhi.org (accessed January 25, 2000).

The Hawaii Opera. [Online] Available http://www.hawaiiopera.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Hawaii Theater. [Online] Available http://www.hawaiitheater.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

The Honolulu Academy of Arts. [Online] Available http://www.honoluluacademy.org (accessed January 25, 2000).

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. [Online] Available http://www.jcch.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Kapiolani Community College. [Online] Available http://www.kcc.hawaii.edu (accessed January 25, 2000).

Oahu Transit Services, Inc. [Online] Available http://www.thebus.org (accessed January 25, 2000).

State Museum of Natural History. [Online] Available http://www.bishop.hawaii.org (accessed January 25, 2000).

University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus. [Online] Available http://www.hawaii.edu (accessed January 25, 2000).

Government Offices

City and County of HonoluluMayor's Office530 S. King StreetHonolulu, HI 96813(808) 523-4141 Fax 527-5552

Internet page for the City and County of Honolulu. [Online] Available http://www.cchnl.oceanic.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Hawaii State Judiciary. [Online] Available http://www.state.hi.us/jud (accessed January 25, 2000).

The Honolulu Police Department. [Online] Available http://www.honolulupd.org (accessed January 25, 2000).

Tourist and Convention Bureaus

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Center. [Online] Available http://www.gohawaii.com/hokeo/index.html (accessed January 25, 2000).

Publications

Honolulu Advertiser. [Online] Available http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Star Bulletin. [Online] Available http://www.starbulletin.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Honolulu Weekly. [Online] Available http://www.honoluluweekly.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Honolulu's business weekly. [Online] Available http://www.amcity.com/pacific/ (accessed January 25, 2000).

Downtown Planet. [Online] Available http://www.downtownplanet.com (accessed January 25, 2000).

Hawaii Public Television. [Online] Available http://www.khet.org (accessed January 25, 2000).

Books

Allen, Helena G. The Betrayal of Lili'uokalani: Last Queen of Hawaii. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1990.

Ambrose, Greg. Surfer's Guide to Hawaii: Hawaii Gets All the Breaks. Honolulu: Bess Press, 1991.

Grant, Glen, Douglas Peebles (photographer). From the Skies of Paradise, Oahu. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1992.

Kanahele, George S. Emma : Hawaii's Remarkable Queen. Honolulu: The Queen Emma Foundation, 1999.

Kanahele, George S. Hawaiian Music and Musicians: An Illustrated History. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1979.

Kawena Pukui, Mary, Samuel H. Elbert, and Esther T. Mookini. Place Names of Hawaii. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1996.

Kent, Joel K. Hawaii: Islands under the Influence. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993.

Linnéa, Sharon. Princess Ka'iulani: Hope of a Nation, Heart of a People. Grand Rapids, Michigan; Cambridge: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 1999.

Trask, Haunani-Kay. From A Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'i. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 1999.